Warhammer 40,000: Darktide reveals new Hive Scum class — it makes me so nostalgic for Borderlands 2’s Krieg that it may end up my new favorite class

A new trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide has unveiled an upcoming downloadable content character class: the Hive Scum. A press release also provided details about how this new class will play.

You play as a ruthless criminal forced to cleanse their polluted home world from the worshippers of Nurgle and the daemons they’ve unleashed.

As a researcher studying this new class, I can share everything I’ve learned about the Hive Scum’s gameplay and when you can expect to play them. I’ve compiled all the details regarding how they function and their release date.

Okay, so the Hive Scum are seriously messed up – but in a cool, terrifying way. They’re all about close-quarters combat, dual-wielding everything from autopistols to knives. But what *really* sets them apart is they pump themselves full of these crazy custom drugs – Stimms – to make themselves faster and stronger. And if that wasn’t enough, they love throwing poison bombs at their enemies. They’re just relentless, aggressive fighters, and honestly, a little scary!

Fatshark’s development team is planning three different ways to play as the Hive Scum, with unique talent trees focusing on gunplay, melee combat, and chemical attacks. These are currently referred to as “Gunslinger,” “Ruffian,” and “Chemist,” but the final names may change before release.

Gunslinger

The Gunslinger is a character type focused on quickly moving to avoid attacks and then dealing damage at close range with firearms.

Here are some of the Gunslinger archetype’s abilities stated in the dev blog:

Talent – In Your Face: Increased damage at close range, which is further increased for a short while after reloading.
Talent – Like the Wind: Dramatically increased Sprint Dodge Angle, and can Sprint Dodge even without Stamina.
Base Coherency Aura – Gunslinger: When an Ammo pickup is collected by you or your Allies in Coherency, everyone else in Coherency also replenishes a small amount of ammo.
Base Blitz – Blinder: An extremely quick-to-throw blinding grenade, which staggers enemies. This enables the Hive Scum to close the gap and get into their preferred range with very little effort, regardless of what gunlines the heretics have aiming your way. (The devs mention it can be thrown mid-combo while using melee weapons).
Base Combat Ability – Desperado: Immediately swap to and reload your ranged weapon, entering Desperado for a few seconds. During Desperado, the Hive Scum is immune to Ranged Attacks, Sprinting costs no stamina, and reloading does not reduce your Ammo Reserve. Close Ranged Kills extends the duration of Desperado.
Keystone – Vulture’s Mark: Killing Specials or Elites with a Ranged weapon gives you stacks of Vulture’s Mark, which improves Ranged Damage, Ranged Critical Strike Chance, and Movement Speed. At max stacks, ranged Special and Elite kills restore Toughness for you and Allies in Coherency.

Ruffian

The Ruffian is another character build focused on dodging, but unlike the Gunslinger, it relies on close-combat weapons to quickly defeat enemies rather than relying on ranged firepower.

Here are some of the Ruffian archetype’s abilities stated in the dev blog:

Talent – Nimble: Dodges move farther and last longer.
Talent – Hyper-Violence: Upon Melee kill, gain bonus Melee Damage based on the amount of overkill damage.
Coherency Aura – Ruffian: Increased Melee damage for you and Allies in Coherency.
Blitz – Boom Bringer: A high-powered missile launcher. What else is there to say? For when you really want something dead!
Combat Ability – Rampage!: Enter Rampage! for a few seconds, gaining vastly increased Melee Attack power, Attack Speed, Damage Reduction, and becoming immune to Stuns and Suppression. Melee attacks extend the duration of Rampage!, although this effect is diminished after 30 seconds. Exiting Rampage! leaves you exhausted and vulnerable for a few seconds.
Keystone – Adrenaline Frenzy: A very aggressive keystone that encourages relentless brawling! Melee hits grant stacks of Adrenaline, which are lost over time when not attacking. At max stacks, lose all stacks and gain Adrenaline Frenzy, increasing Attack Speed and Melee Damage for a few seconds.

Chemist

Lastly, there’s the Chemist class. This class focuses on creating powerful, artificially-made Stimms for beneficial effects and using chemicals to harm enemies. The developers also plan to add a way to coat your weapons with these chemicals later on.

Here are some of the Chemist archetype’s abilities stated in the dev blog:

Talent – Blessed Stimms: While Stimmed, killing blows clear some Corruption.
Talent – Targeted Toxin: Enemies infected with your Chem Toxin deal less damage. Increased effect on Monsters.
Coherency Aura – Anarchist: Increased Critical Chance for you and Allies in Coherency.
Blitz – Chem Grenade: Throw a canister containing Chem Toxin, which breaks open and spills its contents across an area when it explodes. Any enemy that enters the lingering toxic cloud will be affected by stacks of Chem Toxin.
Combat Ability – Stimm Supply: The Hive Scum has ‘repurposed’ military gadgets to come up with this customized Medical Crate that can be placed down on the ground. This is a supportive ability that grants nearby Allies the effects of the Hive Scum’s Cartel Special Stimm.
Keystone – Chemical Dependency: While the Stimm Lab allows you to craft the perfect Stimm to suit your playstyle, the more potent Cartel Special Stimms have a longer cooldown. This Keystone is not so much about the perfect Stimm, but about taking as many Stimms as you can, as fast as you can!

This class sounds like pure chaos, and I’m all for it.

I had fun with the Arbites class and using my Cyber-Mastiff, but I think I’ll have even more fun playing as the Hive Scum.

I’m really excited about its fast-paced, aggressive combat – you tear through enemies using two weapons and poisons. The Ruffian class, which lets you become a furious berserker, sounds particularly appealing.

It’s similar to Krieg in Borderlands 2 – a nearly invincible character who lets you play as one of the game’s famously chaotic Psycho enemies.

I really enjoyed playing Krieg in Borderlands 2, and I’ve been disappointed that no similar character has been added in later Borderlands games, even the most recent ones. If the new Hive Scum class in Warhammer 40,000: Darktide can give me that same chaotic and violent gameplay experience, I’m definitely interested.

The Hive Scum class will launch on December 2nd for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, and will cost $11.99. It will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC through Windows and Steam.

On December 2, 2025, a special Deluxe Edition of the Hive Scum DLC will be released. This edition includes everything in the standard DLC, plus exclusive items like a special class outfit, hairstyle, six unique weapon skins, and a one-of-a-kind tattoo set.

FAQ

What is Warhammer 40,000: Darktide?

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is a cooperative action game where you and your friends fight waves of enemies in the dark and brutal Warhammer 40,000 universe. You’ll be working to free the city of Tertiam from the forces of Chaos, including cultists and monstrous daemons serving the god Nurgle.

How many players can form co-op parties?

Players can form up to 4-player co-op parties.

What platforms is Warhammer 40,000: Darktide available to purchase on?

The game is available to purchase on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Windows and Steam.

Is Warhammer 40,000: Darktide available on Xbox Game Pass?

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is included within Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.

To play with others on Xbox consoles, you’ll need either an Xbox Game Pass Core or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

To play the game using Xbox Cloud Gaming, you’ll need to buy it and have either Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Xbox Game Pass Essential.

2025-11-19 15:14